| Siting Bill Passes Out of Committee With Core
IURC Siting Authority Intact
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE Today the House Commerce, Economic Development and Technology Committee passed House Bill 1979, which governs the siting of merchant power plants. After being significantly amended, the legislation grants the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission authority to oversee the approval or disapproval of merchant power plants, but only after considering: (1) location, (2) need, (3) financing, (4) reporting requirements, and (5) impact on electric suppliers and customers. Although many of the bill’s original provisions were removed, the amended version also retains a provision giving preference to industrial sites and sites already zoned for power plant construction. For many months, citizen groups from around the state have spoken out in favor of the original version of HB 1979 because it would help ensure a meaningful public process with respect to power plant siting. Groups which have been fighting for the legislation include Concerned Citizens of Delaware County, Concerned Citizens of Henry County, the Power Plant Information Committee of Bartholomew County, Pike County Concerned Citizens for Positive Industry, Citizens Against the Power Plant, Clay and Park County, Concerned Citizens of Grant County, Wells County Natural Environmentalist, Sierra Club, Hoosier Environmental Council, and the Citizens Action Coalition. Citizen group leaders were disappointed that many of the bill’s key provisions were deleted in committee, but expressed appreciation for the efforts of Rep. Tiny Adams (D-Muncie) who authored the legislation and has worked to ensure its integrity. Madelyn Ferris of Delaware County said, “Representative Adams has been diligently working on behalf of the citizens of this state for well over a year to introduce legislation that addresses many important siting issues. We continue to applaud his efforts to work toward a meaningful public process that provides for legitimate citizen input and a balance of power among interested parties.” The bill mirrors the process which regulators have been following. The IURC has already approved 10 new power plants which should meet the states projected power needs to at least 2016 according to the State Utility Forecasting Group. “Although the bill as amended does not represent everything we wanted, it does address the primary issue of establishing the clear authority of IURC to regulate merchant power plants,” said Grant Smith, Utility and Environmental Policy Coordinator for CAC. “In order to protect Indiana citizens, we hope some of the original provisions relating to public process and the environment are reinstated on second reading in the House. We appreciate the willingness of Representative Adams and Committee Chairman Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka) to explore those possibilities on second reading of this important legislation.” The citizens groups will now shift their focus to the full House of Representatives. “Energy industry lobbyists will be increasing pressure on legislators,” said Dave Menzer of CAC. “However, we believe that the voices of citizens are being heard and will make a difference in this process.” Voting for the legislation were: Craig Fry (D-Mishawaka), Paul Robertson (D-DePauw), James Atterholt (R-Indianapolis), David Crooks (D-Washington), Richard Bodiker (D-Richmond), Daniel Dumezich (R-Schererville), Susan Crosby (D-Roachdale), Ed Mahern (D-Indianapolis), Brian Hassler (D-Evansville), and Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City). Voting against the legislation were: Jack Lutz (R-Anderson) and Robert Behning (R-Indianapolis). Not present were David Yount (R-Columbus) and David Frizzell (R-Indianapolis)
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